Homeowner in New York discovered full mastodon jaw in their backyard in what officials are calling a “remarkable discovery.”
Jaw extinct mammalwhich resembled an elephant, and several bone fragments were excavated from the Scotchtown site by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.
“The fossils discovered by the curious homeowner will be subjected to radiocarbon dating and extensive scientific analysis to determine the age, diet and habitat of the mastodon.” New York State Museum the statement says. “Once the jaw and associated finds are preserved and studied, they will be featured in public programs in 2025, offering visitors a glimpse into New York City's rich Ice Age history.”
The Albany-based museum said the homeowner first noticed the jaw when he noticed “two unusual teeth hidden by plant leaves and, intrigued, dug a little deeper to discover two more teeth just inches from the surface.”
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The New York State Museum and SUNY Orange staff are excavating a mastodon jaw found at a site in Scotchtown, New York. (New York State Museum)
“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I realized that they were something special and decided to call the experts,” the museum quotes the owner of the house as saying. “I am thrilled that our property has led to such an important find for the scientific community.”
The museum also describes the discovery as the first of its kind in history. New York for 11 years and a “prehistoric treasure.”
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A mastodon tooth that was still in the jaw was found in Orange County, New York. (New York State Museum)
“During excavations by the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange, a complete, well-preserved mastodon jaw belonging to an adult specimen was discovered,” the statement said. “In addition to the jaw, the researchers also discovered part of a toe bone and a fragment of a rib, providing valuable additional information about the life and environment of the mastodon.”
Museum officials said 150 mastodon fossils were found throughout New York City, but a third of them came from Orange County, where the jaw was discovered.
Print illustration of a mastodon from the book Animals of the Prehistoric World. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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“While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and potential for additional research,” Corey Harris, chair of the SUNY Orange Department of Behavioral Sciences, said in a statement. “We also hope to continue to explore the surrounding area for more bones that may have been preserved.”
